Chongqing - Yang Xia started her Chinese New Year with a trip to Daliang Mountain, a visually stunning remote area in Southwest China. Unlike most travelers visiting for sightseeing, Yang has made habitual visits since 2017, as it is the hometown of the five girls she cares about most.

Yang Xia and the girls sit by a campfire. (Photo/Yang Xia)

In 2017, Yang came across Ya Zi through a charity-enthusiast friend. At that time, the 14-year-old Ya Zi was facing a school dropout. In this underprivileged mountain-locked area, most girls have to financially support their families through odd jobs at a young age. Ya Zi was instinctively eager to escape such a life, and pursuing further education was her only chance. Yang made the pursuit possible.

Since then, Yang Xia has been sending money every month, and the recipients list has gradually extended to include five girls in the same situation. In the regular message exchange with the girls, Yang responded to their confusion about life and the future and encouraged them that "life can be changed through education."

In a message, Yang wrote, "You are going through some tough times now, but your persistence will bring a different life; it is not about how much money you can make in the future but your attainment and vision."

The girls' yearning for a different life was only growing stronger. Communication with Yang made them realize that girls can obtain independence, respect, and a myriad of possibilities in life.

Er Zhuo, the oldest among the five girls, always turned to Yang under pressure. Her family only accepted her to receive further education as a scholarship, and Yang's support covered her expenses. When preparing for the National College Entrance Examination, Er Zhuo, under tremendous pressure, wondered if staying in school was the right choice instead of making money for the family.

Yang was adamant, "University is your only chance at a better life; I will support you and be by your side as long as you don't give up," Yang replied to Er Zhuo. After three years of persistence and hard work, Er Zhuo was finally enrolled at a college in Chengdu, majoring in accounting.

She believes meeting Yang is the luckiest thing that has happened to her. "Without her, college would be impossible, and I could be living a life that I can't stand thinking of. Now I feel the future is bright," Er Zhuo smiled.

Yang invites the girls to Chongqing during the summer holidays. It is a chance for part-time jobs, a glimpse of a bigger world, and a precious time with their "mother Yang," as the girls call her. Yang takes videos of their time together, celebrating a birthday, sightseeing the city, eating at home, and doing homework with Yang's only biological son.

Although Yang and her husband have decent jobs, the financially secure family chooses to live below their means. Yang drives a second-hand SUV from her father-in-law as she "can't afford a new one." She spends a large share of her income to support people in need.

Her enthusiasm comes from her tough time growing up. Yang was born into a poverty-stricken family at the foot of a mountain and has lived independently since she was 14. Her life relied on the help from neighbors and classmates. Yang recalls that her classmates chipped in for her high school tuition and always helped with farm work.

"Tough time will pass. The girls remind me of myself, and I hope they can change their life through education and help others when they can," Yang said.

Her dedication and thoughts are reciprocated. Seeing Yang as her role model, Ya Zi wants to be a teacher and help people as Yang does. Another girl with bright and shy eyes uses a purple butterfly to represent herself on a social media platform. She hopes to "break out of the cocoon and emerge."

(This article is written by Gu Shuyu, Liangjiang New Area Media Center)